· Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Butcher BBQ Pink Butcher Paper
Pink butcher paper likely uses PFOA or PFAS coating. Brand stays silent.
Butcher paper's grease-resistant coating typically contains PFAS to achieve water and oil resistance. Brand hasn't disclosed PFAS information or testing results.
The better-graded swap
IDL Packaging
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
95/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Kraft paper with water/grease-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Pink butcher paper commonly uses water/grease-resistant coatings based on PFOA, PFOS, or related PFAS compounds for water and grease repellency. This product does not disclose coating type, so PFAS presence cannot be ruled out and is statistically likely for this product category and age. PFAS coating migration into fatty foods (meats) is a documented exposure pathway in food-contact paper literat
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Kraft-based coatings degrade over time, especially under humidity, heat, and mechanical stress (folding, creasing during use). Visible flaking or powder residue can indicate polymer breakdown; shed particles may transfer to food contact surfaces. No specific data on this brand's coating durability is available, but kraft-based coatings are generally less durable than plastic-laminated alternatives
Source, EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Chlorine residues from paper bleaching
Commercial kraft paper may be chlorine-bleached during manufacture, though most modern butcher paper uses oxygen or hydrogen peroxide bleaching. No specific chlorine-free certification is listed for this product. Migration of chlorine residues into fatty foods is not a documented concern for this product category under normal use.
Ink or dye transfer from printed branding
This product's pink color is typically achieved through dye addition to the pulp or coating layer, not surface printing. If printed text or branding is present on the contact side, food-safe ink compliance would apply, but no information on inks is publicly available. Direct meat contact with the pink (coated) side is standard, and ink transfer risk is low if dyes are pulp-integrated.
Lignin and wood extractives in unbleached kraft
Kraft paper contains residual lignin and tannins that can impart color and mild odor. Under normal short-term food contact, migration of these compounds into meat is negligible. No specific contaminant testing results for this brand are available.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Butcher BBQ Pink Butcher Paper is kraft paper (wood pulp) with a water and grease-resistant coating applied to the pink side. The coating prevents meat juices and smoke from penetrating the paper during smoking or storage. The specific coating chemistry is not disclosed by the brand; industry standard for pink butcher paper historically involves fluorochemical treatments (PFAS compounds like PFOA or PFOS), though some manufacturers have migrated to non-fluorinated alternatives. The uncoated (kraft) side contacts the meat directly.
The brand's record and disclosure
Butcher Paper Co. does not publicly disclose the specific coating chemistry, fluorochemical content, or certifications on this product. No formal PFAS-free certification or third-party testing results are available on record. The brand has not issued statements addressing PFAS content or phasing timelines, which is consistent with a segment of the food-contact paper industry that has been slower to adopt transparency post-regulatory scrutiny. Absence of disclosure does not confirm PFAS presence, but it prevents informed selection.
How it compares in its category
Pink butcher paper is a specialized product with limited direct competitors. Alternatives include uncoated kraft paper (no water resistance, not suitable for long smoking or wet storage), silicone-coated paper (not a material linked to PFAS, but more expensive and less traditional), and parchment paper (limited to oven temps, not designed for smoking). Some competitors (e.g., If You Care, Anatural) market PFAS-free or explicitly fluorochemical-free butcher paper, though verification through independent testing is limited. This product occupies the conventional, low-transparency segment.
If you buy it
Use this paper for short-term contact with raw or cooked meat in smoking or cold storage only; do not use for extended hot-holding or direct contact with wet acidic foods. Replace the paper if it becomes visibly saturated, torn, or compromised, as coating degradation can allow direct contact. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent coating breakdown. If PFAS exposure is a priority concern, consider switching to a brand with explicit PFAS-free certification and third-party testing documentation.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
IDL Packaging
White Butcher Paper 18" x Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
bleached paper, uncoated
Mold or microbial growth during storage
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
IDL Packaging
White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
bleached kraft paper, no specified coating
Ink or printing residue (if printed side contacts food)
Limited concern
Mold or microbial growth during storage
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
If You Care
Parchment Baking Sheets
unbleached parchment paper, silicone coating
Silicone coating degradation under heat stress
Limited concern
Mold or microbial growth if stored damp
Limited concern
Brand no-added-PFAS claim and a 2021 lab result with no fluorine detected.
✓Lab test found no PFAS
More grease-resistant deli & butcher paper grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.